The sculptor commissioned to create a statue honoring two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has revealed the use of a younger stand-in model to accurately portray the tennis star in his younger years. Sculptor David Williams-Ellis is nine months into the creation of the bronze monument, which aims to capture Murray in a dynamic pose with a tennis racquet, mid-shot and in motion.
The statue, described as "life-size plus a fifth," will stand on a plinth at an undisclosed location within the Wimbledon grounds and is slated for unveiling in 2027, coinciding with the tournament's 150th anniversary.
Williams-Ellis, known for his work on the Normandy D-Day landings sculpture, was selected from a pool of ten artists. He explained that while Murray, now 38, has been involved in the process, posing patiently and discussing the design with his wife Kim Sears, the sculpture will represent him as a man aged 23-25. "Andy at 38 is a bit gnarly," Williams-Ellis stated, necessitating the search for a younger athlete to embody the required physique and pose. A 23-year-old sportsman named Joe has been assisting, providing the physical form for the early stages of the sculpture.
Williams-Ellis is meticulously referencing approximately 150 photographs and video stills of Murray, examining each frame to capture his movement and energy. He aims to depict not only Murray's famed determination but also his "incredibly nice soft side," contrasting the on-court intensity with his off-court demeanor. Murray has reportedly expressed concern that the statue might resemble other less successful sporting sculptures.
Describing the technical challenges, Williams-Ellis noted the difficulty in sculpting modern tennis shoes, which are complex in their computer-designed nature. The initial sculpture is being worked on in half a tonne of clay over a steel frame, requiring daily maintenance to prevent drying or becoming waterlogged due to the heat. The final bronze casting will be substantial, with a bronze plinth.
Murray's two Wimbledon victories came in 2013 and 2016. The upcoming statue will join existing monuments at Wimbledon, such as the bronze likeness of Fred Perry, the last British man to win the championship before Murray.